Poder Latinx Mobilizes Voters in Historic SRP Election, Driving Surge in Energy-Focused Civic Engagement
Phoenix, AZ — Following historic participation in the Salt River Project (SRP) Board election on April 7, Poder Latinx is highlighting its large-scale, community-driven effort to inform and mobilize eligible voters, particularly Latino communities, around energy affordability and civic participation.
According to SRP data, more than 35,000 votes were cast in what has traditionally been a low-turnout election, signaling increased engagement in a system that has long been difficult for many communities to access and navigate.
This election turnout confirmed that when communities receive clear, relevant information about issues like rising utility costs and local decision-making, voter engagement increases and more people take part in shaping decisions that affect their cost of living and energy future.
In the months leading up to Election Day, Poder Latinx carried out one of its most extensive civic engagement efforts in Arizona, focusing on SRP Districts 4, 6, and 8 through sustained bilingual outreach that connected energy affordability to civic participation.
This effort combined high-volume outreach with direct voter education and support. Conversations centered on energy affordability and cost of living, while ensuring community members had the tools and information needed to participate. Campaign highlights include:
Thousands of conversations through door-to-door outreach, knocking on more than 30,000 doors and making over 69,000 phone calls
Consistent, community-based outreach connecting energy affordability to civic participation
Voter education on early voting options, including enrollment in the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL)
Support with ballot drop-offs to help reduce barriers to participation
Integrated outreach and action to ensure voters were informed, engaged, and able to participate
“Poder Latinx sees these results as the outcome of years of sustained organizing, not a one-time moment. Over the past four years, we have consistently educated communities about SRP elections, building awareness around a historically inaccessible process. In 2024, we ran the largest SRP civic engagement program in the state and have continued that work year-round. Our approach does not end on Election Day. We remain in the community, educating, engaging, and building toward moments like this,” said Yadira Sánchez, Executive Director of Poder Latinx.
This work is part of the organization’s flagship “One Hot Summer / ¡Qué Calor!” energy affordability campaign, a year-round effort that turns rising energy costs into civic participation and long-term community power.
Outreach efforts reached a broad base of homeowners, including a significant share of Latino residents. While many participants initially had limited awareness of the SRP election, once informed, they identified rising utility costs as a top concern and expressed strong interest in participating in mail voting and voter registration processes.
Community engagement data showed:
71% reported increases in their utility bills
92% said they planned to vote by mail once informed
44% expressed interest in joining the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL)
Field teams also documented barriers to participation, including low awareness of the election, logistical challenges in returning ballots, and initial hesitation rooted in mistrust until the nonpartisan nature of the outreach was clarified.
Poder Latinx noted that voter awareness in 2026 improved compared to prior cycles, reflecting sustained outreach and long-term investment in community education.
Looking ahead, the organization will continue its nonpartisan civic engagement work across Arizona, building on this momentum through ongoing community conversations, voter education, and local organizing.
Participants will also have opportunities to engage in the “One Hot Summer / ¡Qué Calor!” campaign through continued conversations on rising energy costs, environmental stewardship, and community advocacy. These efforts will continue in the months ahead as communities prepare for Arizona’s upcoming primary elections and the 2026 midterms.
Poder Latinx will further strengthen year-round engagement through workshops and field-based outreach designed to connect communities with the information and resources needed to stay involved in energy and civic decision-making.
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